{"id":12103,"date":"2015-01-16T10:46:50","date_gmt":"2015-01-16T15:46:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12103"},"modified":"2025-02-18T19:11:29","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T00:11:29","slug":"a-stranger-in-the-house-by-debbieb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12103","title":{"rendered":"A Stranger in the House (by DebbieB)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/strong>The last time that Little Joe sees his father is when Ben yells at him to jump seconds before their wagon careens down a steep ravine. Little Joe is found badly wounded and brought home to his brothers……..but what about his father? Ben has vanished and Joe’s grief is more life threatening than the injuries he suffered from the accident.<\/p>\n

Rated:<\/strong> G (12,440 words)<\/p>\n

A Stranger in the House<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cJUMP!\u201d<\/p>\n

The axel had already broken loose from the wagon and the horses galloped onward, down the curvy road, the wagging axel chasing behind. The wagon followed for several yards before veering off the road and down the rocky cliff, tumbling over and over and over. The wooden slats shattered into small bits and pieces as the freight wagon careened to the bottom of the deep ravine. It stopped bottom side up; debris was strewn all the way from the top to the bottom of the rocky hillside. The young occupant of the wagon lay halfway down the rocky slope, his body battered and bruised and broken twisted amid the rocks. His hazel eyes closed to the devastation that surrounded him. His mind shut down to pain and agony that engulfed his body only to be awakened later to the loss he knew not that he now suffered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss were just coming from the house when the wagon pulled to a stop in the yard. Hoss looked questioningly at his brother. He cocked his head slightly. \u201cHiram Graham?\u201d he whispered quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeems to be,\u201d muttered Adam as he strolled closer to the neighbor\u2019s wagon.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d greeted Hiram as he jumped from the seat and stood to face the oldest Cartwright son and his slightly younger brother.<\/p>\n

Adam extended his hand to shake the other man\u2019s offered hand. \u201cHiram. What brings you out this way?\u201d asked Adam in a friendly way.<\/p>\n

Hiram had a troubled expression on his sun-bronzed face as he motioned towards the wagon. \u201cBest you look in the back there . I found him up on the cliff road,\u201d he explained as he walked behind Adam and Hoss as they hurried to see what Hiram was referring to.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Adam muttered under his breath as he jumped into the back and knelt alongside of his youngest brother and began examining the boy\u2019s battered and bruised body. He glanced anxiously at Hoss. \u201cHe\u2019s hurt badly, best get the doc,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo need,\u201d Hiram stated as Hoss turned to do Adam\u2019s bidding. Hoss paused. \u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI sent Carl, my boy, into town to fetch Doc Martin. He should be here soon,\u201d Hiram explained.<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded his head. \u201cThanks\u2026hey Mr. Graham\u2026what about our Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour pa\u2026I ain\u2019t seen Ben,\u201d Hiram told them.<\/p>\n

Adam jumped down from the wagon. \u201cOur pa and Little Joe were together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hiram shook his head. \u201cSorry Adam, Hoss\u2026but like I said, I haven\u2019t seen your Pa since sometime last week. And Carl and I looked, but we didn\u2019t find anyone except the boy. If we hadn\u2019t come across the team of horses pulling that broken axel, we\u2019d not even known that something was wrong. When we went looking for the wagon those horses had been hitched to, we just happened to see the boy lying about half way down that steep ravine\u2026didn\u2019t even find the wagon; must be all the way at the bottom.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam took a deep breath as a worried scowl disfigured his handsome face. \u201cHelp us get Joe into the house if you will, and then we\u2019ll worry about finding our father.\u201d<\/p>\n

All three men moved to the back of the wagon and using extreme care, they carried the unconscious boy upstairs to his room. Quickly, Hop Sing appeared with a basin of warm water, soap, clean towels and the first aid kit. Adam nodded his thanks to the family servant and together with Hoss they began the tedious process of undressing the boy and cleaning his wounds. A short time later, they heard the arrival of another wagon enter the yard.<\/p>\n

Hoss crossed the room to look out the window. \u201cDoc\u2019s here, I\u2019ll show him in,\u201d he told Adam as he hurried to admit the physician. Paul Martin quickly made his way to Little Joe\u2019s room where he found Adam attempting to console his brother who lay moaning on the bed. He stepped aside when the doctor approached the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy God,\u201d muttered Paul as he captured his first look at his patient. \u201cWhat on earth happened to him?\u201d he asked Adam as he quickly began his examination.<\/p>\n

\u201cApparently the freight wagon he and Pa were in went over the ravine up on the cliff road. Hiram Graham and his son found Little Joe and brought him home,\u201d Adam explained.<\/p>\n

Paul paused in what he was doing to look up at the two worried faces of the Cartwright brothers. \u201cWhat about Ben, is he hurt as well?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss swallowed the knot that was in his throat. \u201cWe don\u2019t know. Mr. Graham said they didn\u2019t find anyone except for Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not saying a word, Paul turned to Adam. \u201cNothing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026but as soon as we know how Little Joe is, Hoss and I are going to look for Pa,\u201d Adam explained.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

An hour later, Paul joined Adam and Hoss in the great room. \u201cHow is he?\u201d Hoss asked as he rose from the chair where he\u2019d been sitting. \u201cIs he gonna be alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s resting right now,\u201d Paul explained. \u201cHe\u2019s banged up pretty badly. Bruised, cut and scraped. He has a couple of broken ribs, which I\u2019ve bound and his right shoulder was out of place but I\u2019ve fixed that as well. His left leg is broken and I\u2019ve set the bone and will put a plaster cast on sometime tomorrow when I come out to check on him. He\u2019s hit his head so I want someone to stay with him when he wakes up. I\u2019m hoping he doesn\u2019t have a concussion but we\u2019ll have to wait until he wakes up to be sure,\u201d he told the brothers.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Adam swapped concerned looks. \u201cWe\u2019re going to search for Pa\u2026can\u2019t you stay with Joe for a little while?\u201d Hoss asked the physician.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can for a while. Hop Sing can sit with him until I finish making my rounds. I know you\u2019re anxious about Ben. You boys go do what you have to do. Let me know when you find him and if my services are needed. And Adam\u2026you and Hoss be careful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks Doc\u2026we will. You just take care of our kid brother\u2026and if he wakes up wanting pa\u2026tell him\u2026well, I\u2019m not sure what he should be told,\u201d Adam admitted.<\/p>\n

Paul put his hand on Adam\u2019s shoulder and squeezed gently. \u201cDon\u2019t worry about Joe\u2026I\u2019ll take care of him and I\u2019ll decide what to tell him when and if he needs to be told anything,\u201d smiled the doctor.<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded his head. \u201cThanks, sir. We\u2019ll be quick and be back as soon as we can.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I ain\u2019t seen a sign nowhere that shows that Pa was even here. I just don\u2019t understand it,\u201d grumbled Hoss as he pushed back his hat and scratched his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe either\u2026I guess I\u2019ll climb down the side of this ravine and see if I can find anything. Get a rope Hoss so I can tie it around my waist,\u201d Adam asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

Once the rope was secured around Adam\u2019s waist he half smiled at his brother. \u201cHold on tight big brother,\u201d Adam said. \u201cIt will be slow going but I think I can get to the bottom.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you worry\u2026I\u2019ve got ya. Yell out if you find pa\u2026or\u2026anything that might tell us where he might be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will; well, here goes.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI just don\u2019t understand it, Adam,\u201d Hoss groaned.<\/p>\n

The brothers were on their way back to the Ponderosa after spending hours looking for clues to their father\u2019s whereabouts and finding none.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s like he weren\u2019t even here,\u201d he added with an unhappy look.<\/p>\n

Adam sighed heavily. \u201cI\u2019ll admit, I\u2019m worried Hoss. We both know that they were together and that Joe went over the side of that cliff\u2026but where is Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReckon he stayed in Glenbrook?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot likely Hoss. There\u2019s no way Pa would let Little Joe drive that loaded wagon all the way home by himself. Something else happened, I just don\u2019t know what it is,\u201d responded Adam. \u201cCome on, let\u2019s get home. Maybe Little Joe\u2019s awake enough to tell us what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI sure hope so. I ain\u2019t likin\u2019 the idea of Pa lying around somewhere hurt or\u2026or\u2026well you know what I mean.\u201d Hoss nudged his mount into a faster pace to keep up with Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The moaning and whimpering could be heard as soon as the Cartwright brothers opened the front door and stepped into the house. Both stopped briefly to remove their weapons and place them on the credenza.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s Joe,\u201d muttered Hoss as he took off running for the stairs. Adam wasted no time in following the bigger man who was taking the steps two at a time. When they opened the door the sight they saw sent new waves of fear coursing throughout their young bodies.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Adam practically yelled at the small oriental man who was trying to keep the addled young man from getting out of the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoy want father,\u201d chirped Hop Sing. \u201cNo understand father not here, say he go look for papa,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

Adam stepped to the side of the bed and lowered himself down beside Joe. Hop Sing willingly moved aside.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026Little Joe, it\u2019s alright buddy,\u201d Adam said in a tender voice. He took his brother\u2019s fraying arms and gently lowered Joe back against the soft pillows, all the while speaking in a calm voice that belied his true feelings.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026\u201d murmured Little Joe in a weak voice. \u201cGotta\u2026find\u2026Pa,\u201d he said between clinched teeth.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will buddy, I promise. But right now you need to rest,\u201d he cooed. Adam glanced up at Hoss who had nudged his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cAsk him Adam,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

Adam took a deep breath and turned again to Little Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d he said softly. \u201cDo you remember what happened\u2026right before the wagon went over the side of the ravine?\u201d Adam leaned down low so that he could hear his brother\u2019s words. Joe began to mumble.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026oh\u2026pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam tenderly brushed back a lock of hair that had become dampened and stuck to Little Joe\u2019s forehead.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Pa?\u201d he said softly, glancing up at Hoss for a second.<\/p>\n

\u201cJump!\u201d Joe muttered looking at Adam with frightened eyes that suddenly filled with tears.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026did Pa jump from the wagon?\u201d Adam asked hopefully, for it was at least a clue as to what happened to his father.<\/p>\n

Little Joe\u2019s closed his eyes for a moment and then reopened them. He looked up at Adam as tiny beads of water rolled slowly down the sides of his face. He took another deep breath and nodded his head. \u201cPa yelled\u2026jump,\u201d he uttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen what?\u201d Hoss asked as he kneeled down on the opposite side of the bed. \u201cThink Punkin, did Pa jump out of the wagon?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded his head for the second time. \u201cI stood\u2026up to\u2026jump,\u201d he gasped. \u201cBut fell\u2026backward\u2026into the\u2026wagon. I\u2026didn\u2019t have\u2026time before it\u2026went over\u2026the side. Never saw\u2026Pa\u2026again,\u201d he finished with a deep sigh.<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss swapped confused looks. \u201cAdam,\u201d Hoss began, \u201cif Pa jumped clear\u2026where is he and why didn\u2019t he stay with Shortshanks?\u201d he whispered. He glanced down at Little Joe but Joe had already closed his eyes and seemed not to hear the question.<\/p>\n

Adam straightened up and shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t know Hoss. If he were hurt, we would have found him\u2026and if he were not hurt, he\u2019d never have left the boy there alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss stood up and scratched his head. \u201cMaybe he was hurt, too much to help Little Joe, but not enough that he couldn\u2019t have gone for help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCould be, but if he went for help, the Graham ranch is the closest\u2026and Hiram said they hadn\u2019t seen Pa or anything that told them Pa was even with Joe. And we didn\u2019t find a trace of him either,\u201d Adam wondered aloud.<\/p>\n

\u201cSumthin\u2019 ain\u2019t right Adam. Joe said Pa was there and that he jumped out of the wagon\u2026but we can\u2019t find Pa. What are we gonna do?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam motioned for Hoss to follow him from the room. In the hall he closed the door softly so as not to disturb their brother. \u201cI\u2019m going back up that ridge and look again. Maybe we over looked something,\u201d he told Hoss in a whisper.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go with you\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I need you here to take care of Little Joe. I\u2019m afraid when he wakes up again it will take more muscle than what Hop Sing has to keep that boy quiet and in the bed. I don\u2019t want him to hurt himself more than what he already is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss pinched up his lips but nodded his head in agreement. \u201cAlright Adam, I\u2019ll take care of Shortshanks, you find Pa\u2026if\u2019n you can.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the first time that morning, Adam smiled. \u201cThanks big guy,\u201d he said as he patted the big guy\u2019s shoulder. \u201cI\u2019ll be back in a couple of days. Send word by one of the men if you need me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing\u2026ya take care now,\u201d Hoss told Adam as he turned and went back into the room to sit with Little Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe was sitting propped against the pillows when Adam returned and entered his brother\u2019s bedroom. The older brother smiled at his youngest sibling.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey partner, how you feeling?\u201d he asked as he pulled a chair closer to the bed. Hoss stood behind the chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine\u2026did you find Pa?\u201d Little Joe hurried to ask.<\/p>\n

A quick glance between the two older brothers gave Joe his answer. Instantly his eyes filled with tears. \u201cHe\u2019s dead\u2026isn\u2019t he? I\u2026killed him,\u201d wept Joe.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cNo\u2026no, Joe, buddy you didn\u2019t kill Pa. There\u2019s no proof that he\u2019s dead\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s tears overflowed. \u201cI\u2026did\u2026I know I did,\u201d he sobbed.<\/p>\n

Adam sat down on the edge of the bed and took the distraught boy into his arms and held Joe while he sobbed out his misery. \u201cShh\u2026\u201d whispered Adam as he tried to console the youth. \u201cWe will find him, buddy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t,\u201d cried Joe.<\/p>\n

Hoss sat down on the other side of the bed. Tears had filled his sky blue eyes. The sight of the grieving boy and the thoughts that ran through his head that perhaps their father was in fact dead, filled his heart with both grief for their loss and with empathy for the young man who believed he was responsible for that loss.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey Punkin, what ever happened to Pa, was not your fault\u2026it was an accident, plain and simple. Me and Adam know that\u2026and we ain\u2019t blamin\u2019 you for nuthin\u2019. Ain\u2019t that right Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course we don\u2019t. Listen Joe,\u201d Adam said tenderly as he leaned Joe back against the pillows, \u201cwe don\u2019t know what happened to Pa, but I\u2019ll promise you this, we will find out one way or another.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe scrunched up his face, closed his eyes while pressing his head back against the pillows. \u201cYou don\u2019t understand,\u201d he babbled, opening his eyes and looking from one brother to the next. \u201cI\u2026begged him to let me drive\u2026he kept telling me no\u2026but I kept hounding him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss swallowed hard. \u201cThe axel broke\u2026Pa wouldn\u2019t have known that would happen\u2026like I said, it was an accident.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam cupped the boy\u2019s chin gently in both of his hands. \u201cNo buts, Joe. Pa didn\u2019t just vanish into thin air. He\u2019s somewhere, we just have to find where,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2019s right Shortshanks; you said Pa jumped free of the wagon\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe did,\u201d Joe said. \u201cBut why did he leave me if the jump didn\u2019t kill him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know kid, but if the jump killed him, why didn\u2019t Mr. Graham find his body\u2026why didn\u2019t Hoss and I find him for that matter? We don\u2019t have the answers\u2026yet\u2026but we won\u2019t give up buddy until we know for sure what happened to our father,\u201d promised Adam.<\/p>\n

Joe rubbed his nose with the back of his hand. Adam groaned and handed the boy a cloth. Swallowing, Joe looked into his brother\u2019s eyes. \u201cIt\u2019s my fault\u2026and nothing you can\u2026say will change how\u2026I feel,\u201d he said in a broken voice.<\/p>\n

Hoss shook his massive head. Adam pinched his lips together. \u201cJoe, when we find Pa, he\u2019ll tell you the same thing we did, it was an accident.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot if\u2026he\u2019s\u2026dead\u2026dead men\u2026don\u2019t talk,\u201d Joe sputtered. He turned away from his brothers and buried his face in his pillow. \u201cJust leave\u2026me alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Slowly Little Joe began to recover from his injuries, but as the days turned into weeks, nothing could heal the emotional turmoil in his heart or the psychological difficulties suffered from believing he was the real reason his father was absent from their lives. Day after day Joe\u2019s brothers would try to reassure him that nothing he did or did not do was the reason for their father\u2019s disappearance or his supposed death.<\/p>\n

But the boy could find no comfort in his brothers\u2019 words or actions. His heart was so full of guilt and remorse that the pair of woes had slowly begun to have their effect on the troubled youth. Joe rarely slept and when he did, nightmares claimed what rest he could have had. Eating was almost obsolete, and the lack of nourishment was beginning to become evident even to the untrained eye. Often Adam or Hoss would find the boy hiding in the barn, weeping. They found him up at the lake at his mother\u2019s grave; they even found him down in the cellar. Though they held him securely within the loving folds of their arms, nothing seemed to bring relief to his suffering. More times than not, the distraught youth proclaimed his self-hatred and voiced the hate that he knew his brothers held for him. Nonetheless they denied the fact; Little Joe seemed to have convinced himself that it was true. He turned against them, defying Adam\u2019s orders, refusing to listen to Hoss\u2019 advice, yelling at Hop Sing. He\u2019d found the whiskey bottle and seemed determined to drink himself into a stupor. Adam hid the whiskey and all other liquor that was in the house. At least for a time, hiding the liquor seemed to put a halt on Joe\u2019s heavy drinking. However, the night before, Adam had been summoned to town by Roy Coffee. Once arriving and confronting the sheriff, he found his younger brother locked behind bars in Roy\u2019s jail.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrunk and disorderly,\u201d Roy explained. \u201cYou can take him home with you now, or leave him here until morning\u2026or longer if you need to,\u201d Roy offered. \u201cI understand he\u2019s having a hard time Adam. But\u2026the boy needs help and I think you know it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grimly Adam agreed. \u201cBut how\u2026how do I help him? Hoss and I both have tried our best to get him to understand that this accident was not his fault and that we don\u2019t blame him\u2026and neither would Pa if he were here to tell Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut your Pa ain\u2019t here Adam. And I think that\u2019s what is troubling the boy more than thinking he kilt his own father. Little Joe has always needed his father\u2026and still does\u2026and now Ben ain\u2019t here to help him. He\u2019s simply grieving himself to death\u2026look at him, he looks like hell,\u201d Roy declared.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose I\u2019d better take him home Roy. If I were to show up without him, Hoss would have my hide. He\u2019s been so worried about the boy\u2026well, we both have for that matter,\u201d Adam told his friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand son; I\u2019ll have him get his things and then all ya gotta do is sign this release,\u201d Roy told him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both Adam and Roy stopped to turn around. Jude Larkins was pushing open the door and entering the office.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Larkins,\u201d Adam greeted his father\u2019s long-time friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi Sheriff,\u201d Jude greeted the sheriff. He turned back to Adam. \u201cI thought I saw you come in here. Err\u2026can we talk\u2026outside if you don\u2019t mind?\u201d<\/p>\n

Glancing at Roy, who nodded his head, Adam followed the older gentleman out the door onto the boardwalk.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s on your mind\u2026you seem a bit excited,\u201d Adam said with a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s your pa\u2026I seen him Adam!\u201d Jude said excitedly.<\/p>\n

Adam knew he should close his mouth. He was stunned. It had been nearly eight weeks since the accident and not one word about his father\u2019s whereabouts had been uttered, until now.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean Jude, you saw my father?\u201d Adam said. When he looked down at his hands they were trembling.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver in Gardnerville\u2026I was there day before yesterday and ran smack dab into him,\u201d Jude said. He shook his head. \u201cWhen I said hello to him, he acted as if he didn\u2019t know me\u2026strange, that\u2019s what it was.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam had a puzzled look on his face. \u201cWait right here. Let me speak to Roy and then the two of us will go over to the saloon where we can talk.\u201d Adam stuck his head inside the office and called out to Roy. \u201cKeep Little Joe just a bit longer Roy; I\u2019ve got something I have to do first. I\u2019ll be back in a bit,\u201d he said and then joined Jude again. \u201cLet\u2019s go down to Daisy\u2019s instead. Too much going on over at the saloon,\u201d Adam suggested. \u201cI\u2019ll buy your supper.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, you don\u2019t have to do that Adam. But I might be talked into a cup of coffee and some of Daisy\u2019s apple pie,\u201d he smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cDeal\u2026now please tell me more about this man you say is my father.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once the pair were seated and served, Jude began explaining to Adam about the strange way that Ben had been acting.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike I said, I ran right into him. I was surprised to see him all the way down in Gardnerville. Anyway, when I said howdy, he just looked at me like I was a stranger,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cGardnerville? Wonder how he got way over there,\u201d he muttered to himself. He turned his attention back to his friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cJude, I know you and Pa have been friends forever, but are you absolutely sure it was my father?\u201d Adam asked doubtfully.<\/p>\n

Jude shook his head up and down. \u201cAs sure as I know who you are I knew he was Ben Cartwright. I even called him that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did he say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSaid, \u2018sorry sir, you must have me confused with some other fellow\u2019, that\u2019s what he said. So I asked him his name. He didn\u2019t say anything for several moments\u2026almost like he had to think about it. But then he smiled and said his name was Walter Tibbs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWalter Tibbs,\u201d mumbled Adam more to himself than to his friend. \u201cHow was he dressed?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSame as always\u2026same vest, same hat. But he didn\u2019t have his sidearm\u2026nope, of that I\u2019m sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam was thoughtful. Could it really have been his father or just some stranger that looked enough like Ben Cartwright to have been his twin? Stranger things had been known to happen. Adam shook his head slightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you happen to see where he went when you left him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure did. Some other fellow came out of the bank, called out to Ben\u2026or that Tibbs fellow and then they climbed into a wagon and drove off out of town,\u201d Jude said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t suppose you\u2019d happen to know who the other fellow might have been, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jude sort of laughed. \u201cI was so sure it was your father and just as surprised to see him climb into that wagon just like he knew the fellow, that I asked the first person who walked by who the man was driving the wagon. They said it was Henry Tibbs. And\u2026I was curious enough to ask the lady who the man with Henry Tibbs might be\u2026and guess what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe lady said she didn\u2019t know for sure, but talk around town was that he was Henry Tibbs brother, come to visit from back east somewhere,\u201d Jude said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s odd,\u201d Adam said aloud.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s odd?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAn Easterner wearing western clothes\u2026and obviously used ones at that. Most visiting people would just wear what they were used to, unless they felt as if they wanted to fit in,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue, but Adam, anyone could tell that Ben wasn\u2019t a dude from back east. Why he didn\u2019t even have an accent\u2026not like he did when he first came to Virginia City,\u201d Jude said and then smiled. \u201cWhat are you aiming on doing Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam wiped his mouth with the napkin and then stood up, tossing a few bills onto the table. \u201cFirst I\u2019m taking Little Joe home and putting the boy to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I noticed he ain\u2019t looking too good, poor kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s taken this the hardest. He blames himself for Pa being\u2026gone\u2026though Hoss and I both have tried to get him to understand that it wasn\u2019t his fault and that we certainly don\u2019t blame him for anything that\u2019s happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I hope he\u2019ll be alright Adam. He\u2019s such a good kid\u2026and cares deeply for your father.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat he does. And Pa cares deeply for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter you take Joe home\u2026then what\u2026are you going to Gardnerville to find out about that Tibbs fellow?\u201d Jude asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2026that\u2019s exactly what I plan on doing. Mr. Larkins, I can\u2019t thank you enough for telling me about this man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell Adam, I would have bet my life on him being Ben Cartwright. I hope when you find the man, it will be your father\u2026for Little Joe\u2019s sake as well as your own\u2026and Hoss too of course. Good luck\u2026and hey, thanks for the pie and coffee,\u201d he smiled as he shook hands with Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnytime Jude, and thanks again,\u201d Adam called as he walked out of the caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss brushed the tears from his face. \u201cAdam, are ya sure it was Pa?\u201d he asked after he and Adam had finished supper and was sure that Little Joe was in bed.<\/p>\n

Adam sat down in his father\u2019s favorite chair. \u201cNo Hoss, I\u2019m not sure. But Jude Larkins swears the man was Pa, even when the fellow denied it. That\u2019s why I have to go to Gardnerville. I have to know beyond a doubt whether it\u2019s our father or not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I reckon you do. Man, I sure \u2018nough wish I could go with you,\u201d Hoss grumbled. Hoss was sitting on the corner of the wooden table facing Adam. He looked into his brother\u2019s hazel eyes. \u201cI\u2019d give my right arm if it were Pa,\u201d he said in a soft voice. \u201cI miss him, Adam,\u201d he said as tears filled his blue eyes again.<\/p>\n

Adam took a deep breath and let it out slowly. \u201cSo do I, Hoss, so do I\u2026and Little Joe\u2026well, we both know that Pa\u2019s not being here is killing the kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah and I think he\u2019s give up too. I mean, it\u2019s like he don\u2019t care none if he lives or not. I\u2019m\u2026afraid for him,\u201d Hoss stated sadly.<\/p>\n

Adam stood up and stretched. \u201cAll the more reason to find out more about this Walter Tibbs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if\u2019n it ain\u2019t Pa?\u201d worried Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf not, I guess we keep looking,\u201d Adam said with a frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre ya gonna tell Little Joe where ya goin\u2019 and why?\u201d asked Hoss as he stood and moved closer to the fire. He stood with his back to the flame. He wasn\u2019t really cold, but the warmth felt good on his backside just the same.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026I don\u2019t want to give the boy any false hope. If it\u2019s not Pa\u2026there\u2019ll be no need for Joe to be heartbroken again. He couldn\u2019t take it a second time, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if it is\u2026I mean\u2026why would Pa not come home if\u2019n he weren\u2019t hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. Maybe he can\u2019t,\u201d Adam said, wondering at his own words. \u201cMaybe he can\u2019t\u2026 remember anything, you know maybe he had some sort of memory lapse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr maybe he just don\u2019t care no more?\u201d Hoss sputtered out the words. Adam looked shocked at his brother\u2019s spoken words.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t mean that!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss tossed his long arms up in despair as tears rolled unchecked down his rotund face. \u201cNo\u2026gosh dang it, Adam, I don\u2019t mean it, honest, it\u2019s just that I\u2019m\u2026I\u2019m\u2026so lost without him,\u201d the big man sobbed.<\/p>\n

Adam crossed the room and put his arms about the trembling shoulders. \u201cI know Hoss,\u201d he whispered. \u201cBut somehow\u2026we\u2019ll get through this together\u2026and we have to be strong, for Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss blew his nose on his handkerchief and wiped his eyes. \u201cYeah, the boy\u2026we gotta be strong for the kid,\u201d he agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get some sleep Hoss. I\u2019m bushed and in the morning, I\u2019ll tell Little Joe I have to go away for a few days and that you\u2019ll be here with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if he asks why you\u2019re going?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tell him the truth\u2026that I have business in Gardnerville,\u201d he stated firmly and then offered his brother a tiny smile when Hoss\u2019 brows rose slightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell it is the truth\u2026\u201d snickered Adam and as they walked together up the stairs. \u201cNight buddy,\u201d he told his brother. \u201cI\u2019ll look in on Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNight Adam\u2026sleep well.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The next morning both Adam and Hoss were just finishing their breakfast when Little Joe came down the stairs. He looked haggard and tired and unkempt. It was obvious that he had failed to comb his hair or shave but neither of the older brothers said a word as Joe took his place at the table. He raised his head slightly to peek at his brothers. His chin quivered.<\/p>\n

\u201cHungry?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n

Little Joe shook his head. \u201cNo\u2026thanks,\u201d he muttered. Joe rubbed his forehead. \u201cHead hurts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t doubt it,\u201d Adam said. Joe looked over at his older brother but saw nothing but kindness in the eyes that looked back at him. \u201cHow about some strong coffee?\u201d he said and then smiled while pouring Joe a cup. He handed it to the boy who took it from his brother\u2019s hand. Adam noted how the smaller hands shook.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess I\u2019ve got a hangover,\u201d Joe said in a tired voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeems like it,\u201d agreed Adam. Hoss snickered. \u201cI\u2019ve had my share of them Shortshanks\u2026trust me, the coffee will help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked up at both brothers and offered a weak smile. He turned to Adam. \u201cI\u2019m\u2026sorry Adam\u2026about yesterday\u2026all of them yesterdays and\u2026the things I\u2019ve said to you\u2026and to you Hoss,\u201d he added, turning in Hoss\u2019 direction. \u201cI\u2026I didn\u2019t mean any of them.\u201d Tears filled the troubled eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cForget it Joe\u2026we know you didn\u2019t mean them. Hey, we all have our days,\u201d offered Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose. But it seems I\u2019ve been having\u2026too many\u2026bad days lately,\u201d Little Joe said as he took another sip of the hot brew. \u201cIt won\u2019t\u2026happen again, Adam\u2026I\u2026promise,\u201d he said as he looked up into the forgiving eyes of his oldest brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad Joe\u2026but hey, there is something I need to talk to you about. Let\u2019s go sit by the fire,\u201d Adam instructed as he and Hoss stood and began to make their way into the great room.<\/p>\n

Joe slowly got to his feet and followed, leaving his coffee on the dining room table. \u201cIs something wrong? Am I in trouble\u2026again?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026nothing\u2019s wrong buddy and you aren\u2019t in trouble,\u201d he added and then smiled. \u201cSit down, there\u2019s something I need to tell you,\u201d Adam said, pointing to the settee. When Little Joe was sitting, Adam placed himself on the corner of the wooden table and leaned over close to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026\u201d Adam swallowed hard. \u201cI have to go away for a few days\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Joe said loudly. \u201cWhy\u2026where\u2026Adam I don\u2019t want you to leave,\u201d Joe said almost in a panic.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, easy pal. I\u2019m not leaving\u2026I\u2019m just going away for a few days. Hoss is going to stay here with you and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026please Adam,\u201d cried Joe as he stood to his feet. Adam stood as well and placed both hands on Joe\u2019s trembling shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just for a week. Listen Joe, I\u2019ll be back\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe surprised his brother by wrapping both arms about the elder brother\u2019s body and unexpectedly began to weep.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease don\u2019t go\u2026I\u2019m sorry for the way I\u2019ve been acting\u2026I\u2019ll be good, honest\u2026just don\u2019t go\u2026don\u2019t\u2026leave me Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam cast a worried look in Hoss\u2019 direction as he gently pulled Joe back so that he could see the boy\u2019s face. Fear was etched into every fine line of the younger man\u2019s face. Tears glistened in the depths of the hazel eyes. Adam felt a surge of compassion for his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll be fine Joe\u2026and I\u2019ll be back, I promise!\u201d Adam said trying to console the boy. \u201cLook I have business down in Gardnerville, there\u2019s a man I have to see\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat man\u2026why do you have to see him\u2026please Adam take me with you. Hoss could go too\u2026just the three of us\u2026please,\u201d Joe begged.<\/p>\n

Adam gripped Joe\u2019s shoulders a bit tighter. \u201cI can\u2019t do that Joe. I have to go alone and you and Hoss need to stay here\u2026and run the ranch,\u201d he added. \u201cPlease\u2026I need you to do that for me. And when I get back, I\u2019ll tell you everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe sighed deeply, swallowed and looked up at Adam. \u201cYou promise\u2026you\u2019ll come back?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course buddy. I\u2019ll be back,\u201d smiled Adam. He knew Joe was afraid, even if the boy wouldn\u2019t admit it. And Adam knew the reason. Joe had always, since his mother died, been afraid that whenever their father had to be away that Ben would not come back and now that fear had been transferred from father to older brother. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing that could ever stop me from being here for you pal,\u201d he said as he gathered Joe into a warm embrace.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow\u2026I need you to promise me something,\u201d he said as he gently guided Joe back to the settee.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d Joe said as he wiped his tears.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I want you to promise me that you will not leave this ranch while I am gone. If Hoss needs to go into town, you can go with him. Other than that, I need to know that will stay here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy? I don\u2019t understand\u2026is there going to be trouble?\u201d Joe asked. His brow furrowed into a worried frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo I didn\u2019t mean it that way.\u201d Adam chuckled. \u201cI just want you to promise that you\u2026um\u2026will not follow me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFollow you?\u201d This time Little Joe grinned. \u201cOh\u2026you think I might sneak away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed softly. \u201cIt wouldn\u2019t be the first time, now would it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cNo\u2026but I promise, I\u2019ll stay here and help Hoss. But you better be home in a week or I might just break that promise\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a deal. I\u2019ll be back in a week or less. Thanks, buddy, I knew I could count on you.\u201d Adam gently ruffled Joe\u2019s wayward curls. \u201cNow, how about you go upstairs and clean yourself up\u2026you\u2019re beginning to look like a riverboat gambler\u2026I might have Hoss take you into town for a haircut!\u201d Adam teased.<\/p>\n

Joe stood up, grinning. \u201cNow you\u2019re beginning to sound just like\u2026\u201d he swallowed hard. \u201cPa,\u201d he said as the light in his eyes dimmed somewhat.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam pulled his mount to a stop at the top of a hill. Down below stood a neat homestead. The house was whitewashed with dark shutters. Flowers bloomed along the edge of the porch and walkway; to the left of the house stood the barn. Adam noted that it was neat and well kept, reminding him of the barn back home on the Ponderosa. A corral housed three horses who appeared to be well cared for. A minute later, the front door opened and a man walked out. The gentleman was about his father\u2019s age, maybe a bit younger, but looked nothing like Ben Cartwright. Adam felt a moment of doubt assault his heart. Had Jude been horribly mistaken? Before he could give credit to that notion, the door opened again and another man joined the first. Together they walked toward the barn. Adam\u2019s heart fluttered; his breathing became labored and for a moment he thought he might actually pass out. As sure as he\u2019d ever been about anything in his entire life, Adam was positive he was watching his father cross the yard and enter the barn of this unknown stranger. Excitement and relief began to consume his spirit as he spurred his mount into action. He had to\u2026must\u2026speak with this man who unknown to himself was in fact Ben Cartwright, his father, his mentor, his hero.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The two men were just exiting the barn when Adam pulled his horse to a stop. Both men stopped talking and began to make their way over to Adam who was dismounting. He felt his heart pick up tempo as his father and the stranger came nearer until they stopped in front of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowdy young fella,\u201d Henry Tibbs greeted Adam. Ben smiled warmly at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello,\u201d responded Adam as he offered his hand in greeting. Henry accepted the welcome and he and Adam shook hands. Next Adam offered his hand to his father. Ben, still smiling shook hands as well. Adam\u2019s heart skipped a beat when he felt his father\u2019s grip on his hand. He had to swallow hard.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat can we do for you?\u201d Henry asked the tall, dark stranger.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy name is Adam,\u201d he paused to look at his father, \u201cCartwright,\u201d he finished, watching Ben\u2019s expression change just slightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cCartwright?\u201d muttered Ben under his breath, but Adam heard.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Henry Tibbs\u2026and this is\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam noticed the pause.<\/p>\n

\u201cWalter Tibbs,\u201d Henry finished. He didn\u2019t say anything to Adam about the man being his would-be brother for which Adam was glad that so far the man hadn\u2019t told a lie.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here to speak with\u2026\u201d he turned back to his father before speaking again. \u201cYou sir, if you wouldn\u2019t mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam thought that his father seemed surprised that he was the one whom this handsome stranger wished to speak with. Ben glanced quickly at Henry and then back at Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cMind if I ask what this is about?\u201d Henry said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a bit personal, sir,\u201d Adam explained. Turning to Ben he asked, \u201cYou don\u2019t mind, do you sir. It won\u2019t take but a few minutes.\u201d His heart was in his throat and a smidgen of fear caused him to worry that maybe his father would refuse the invitation to speak with him. \u201cIt\u2019s quite important,\u201d Adam added with baited breath.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s expression changed and he smiled warmly at the younger man. \u201cOf course, I\u2019ll speak with you. Would you like to come into the house, we have coffee made?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Adam hadn\u2019t realized until that moment that he\u2019d been holding his breath. He let it out slowly. \u201cThank you, but if you wouldn\u2019t mind just walking with me\u2026we could talk privately,\u201d he said as he glanced at Henry who\u2019s brow had frowned slightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly,\u201d Ben said. He turned to Henry. \u201cI won\u2019t be long; no need to worry,\u201d he told the other man.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs you wish,\u201d Henry said, turning and going back towards the barn.<\/p>\n

Adam and Ben began walking slowly in the opposite direction. For several minutes neither man uttered a word, until they had reached a small grove of trees and Ben stopped, turning to Adam. \u201cYou seem a bit nervous\u2026Adam\u2026didn\u2019t you say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, yes sir\u2026\u201d Adam smiled. \u201cI suppose I am a bit nervous.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why don\u2019t you take a deep breath and tell me what\u2019s on your mind?\u201d Ben said warmly as he leaned against a tree. \u201cI don\u2019t bite, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam chuckled softly. \u201cNo, I don\u2019t suppose you do,\u201d he smiled at his father. A lump had suddenly formed in the back of his throat and he had to swallow several times before it became dislodged enough so that he could speak again. He turned away from his father, least Ben see the fear that had caused his hands to begin to shake.<\/p>\n

\u201cSon\u2026is something wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

At the sound of his father\u2019s warm voice, so filled with concern, Adam turned again. Tears glistened in his eyes, yet he forbid them to be released.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I could handle this, now I\u2019m not so sure,\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cHandle what son?\u201d Ben asked as he watched the younger man closely. It was obvious that the young stranger was either upset or worried about something and Ben had no idea how those feelings could concern him.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs your name really Walter Tibbs?\u201d Adam said, almost blurting out the words.<\/p>\n

Ben didn\u2019t seem too surprised at the question. Calmly he asked Adam, \u201cWhy, do you know otherwise?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes!\u201d Adam snapped. He took a deep breath to calm himself. \u201cI\u2019m sorry sir, I didn\u2019t mean to snap at you\u2026but\u2026this is so hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben pursed his lips and then he took a deep breath. \u201cPlease, tell me who you think I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think I know who you really are, I know who you are\u2026you are\u2026Ben Cartwright\u2026my\u2026father,\u201d Adam said and then clamped his lips together.<\/p>\n

\u201cFather?\u201d stammered Ben. \u201cBoy\u2026are you positive?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course I\u2019m positive. You didn\u2019t answer my question\u2026is your name really Walter Tibbs?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026it is not but\u2026to be completely honest with you\u2026I have no memory of my life or who I really am since Henry found me and brought me here, to his home. I was hurt and he took care of me\u2026I just assumed the name Walter Tibbs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben walked around the tree and stopped in front of Adam. His eyes were awash with tears. \u201cHow can you know for certain that I am this Ben Cartwright\u2026and that I am your father? Please, I need to know for sure\u2026I can see such pain in your face\u2026can you prove to me that I am who you say I am?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir\u2026I think that I can,\u201d stated Adam as he laid his hand on his father\u2019s shoulder. He moved it slightly till his fingers rested on the back of the same shoulder. \u201cDo you have a small scar, right here,\u201d he asked, touching gently the spot in question. \u201cAnd is it V shaped like this?\u201d Adam spread his two first fingers apart slightly to form a V. \u201cAnd does the V point upright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes brightened as he smiled at Adam. \u201cWhy yes\u2026in fact I do\u2026but how do you know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I am the one who dug the arrow out of your shoulder a little over a year ago. You and I were hunting and came upon a small band of Paiutes\u2026and you took an arrow to this shoulder. I know because you are my father,\u201d Adam said with certainty.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I could remember Adam,\u201d Ben sighed. \u201cTell me more, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want you to come home with me, where you belong. Little Joe needs you\u2026\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked questioningly at his son. \u201cLittle Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. I have two brothers, Hoss and Little Joe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss,\u201d smiled Ben. \u201cThe word means a big friendly man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you know that?\u201d wondered Adam.<\/p>\n

A small frown formed on Ben\u2019s face. \u201cI\u2026I\u2026don\u2019t know,\u201d he said looking into Adam\u2019s eyes. \u201cIs he\u2026I mean is your brother a big, friendly man?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam chuckled. \u201cHe most certainly is. And Little Joe is your youngest son. He\u2019s full of life, spirited and right now grieving himself to death.\u201d Adam suddenly became very serious. \u201cYou see, Pa\u2026he thinks that he\u2019s killed you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou and he had gone over to Glenbrook for some special lumber you needed and Joe was driving the wagon. The axel broke free from the wagon and when you jumped clear, Joe didn\u2019t have time to jump before the wagon careened over the ledge\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDear God,\u201d muttered Ben. \u201cWas the boy hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but he\u2019s better now\u2026physically that is. Emotionally, he\u2019s a wreck. See, you and he have this special bond\u2026to Joe, you are his whole world\u2026you are his hero\u2026and now, he\u2019s convinced himself that you are dead because of him. And it\u2019s eating him alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tears formed in Adam\u2019s eyes. Ben noticed immediately. \u201cWhat else, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam swiped his hand across his eyes to wipe away the moisture. \u201cPlease\u2026you have to come home with me. If you don\u2019t\u2026I\u2019m afraid of what might happen to Little Joe. He\u2019s trying to hang on but I\u2019m afraid he\u2019s going to give up soon. I\u2026can\u2019t lose him.\u201d Adam hung his head. His emotions were running high and he was afraid that he himself might have a break down soon.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course I\u2019ll come,\u201d Ben said as he laid his hand on his son\u2019s shoulder. \u201cYou have proven to me that I am who you say I am. I might not remember everything\u2026but I\u2019m positive you are telling me the truth. But what will this boy say when he realizes that I don\u2019t have a clue to who he is or that I have no memory of my life with any of you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be fine, Pa\u2026you wait and see. Just having you home will be enough to save Joe\u2019s life. And\u2026maybe in time, just being there will spark a memory\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGod, I hope so,\u201d smiled Ben. \u201cWhen do you want to leave?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs soon as you can be ready. I promised Little Joe that I\u2019d be back within a week.\u201d Adam chuckled. \u201cAnd knowing Joe, if I\u2019m not, he\u2019s liable to come looking for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed, \u201cIs he that daring?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbsolutely\u2026and more so when he sets his mind to doing something\u2026usually what he\u2019s not supposed to be doing,\u201d Adam explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh my\u2026how old is this young son of mine?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlmost seventeen\u2026and Hoss is twenty-two\u2026I\u2019m twenty-eight\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy, I must have been a busy man,\u201d snickered Ben as he and Adam began making their way back to the house. \u201cAnd\u2026my wife?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026my mother, Elizabeth, died shortly after I was born. Hoss\u2019 mother was killed by Indians\u2026and Joe\u2019s mother died from a fall while riding\u2026Joe was only five at the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDear God\u2026whew\u2026I have a lot of catching up to do\u2026\u201d Ben sighed heavily.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can do some of that on the way home,\u201d smiled Adam. Though he tried not to let it show, tears slowly filled Adam\u2019s eyes. He clinched his teeth, to keep from breaking down from the sheer joy of standing face to face with the father whom he adored.<\/p>\n

Ben noted the young man\u2019s struggle and stepped over to take Adam into his arms. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be alright son,\u201d Ben whispered into the other man\u2019s ear. \u201cEverything will work out, I promise,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Adam felt his body go slack. He could no longer be the strong one. \u201cOh Pa\u2026\u201d he wept. \u201cYou have no idea how happy I am that you\u2019re alive\u2026that Joe has a chance of a full recovery\u2026and Hoss and I\u2026\u201d he pulled out of the comforting arms and looked into his father\u2019s face. He smiled. \u201cNow Hoss and I can relax and let you take over again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll need your help\u2026at least until I remember what it is I\u2019m supposed to be in charge of,\u201d chuckled Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll have all the help you\u2019ll ever need; I can assure you of that! Especially Little Joe\u2026he\u2019ll be your shadow for a long time,\u201d Adam said and laughed this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t wait Adam, to meet these boys of mine. I have felt for weeks now that there was something missing in my life\u2026and now I know what it was\u2026or should I say who it was?\u201d Ben laughed, \u201cLet\u2019s get going!\u201d Ben said as he put his arm across Adam\u2019s shoulder and led him back to the house.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The journey home was one that Adam would always remember. Spending this special time with his father brought joy and a measure of peace to his life. Along the way, he told his father all that he could in regards to Ben\u2019s former life, his sons, his wives and all he could about the Ponderosa and the various actives that went on there. Ben learned about the mining operations, the lumber business, raising cattle, horse breeding and taming the wild ones. Adam explained about his contracts for these operations, including the ones with the Army and the supply of horses they sold to the Army each year.<\/p>\n

But what Ben wanted to know most about were the sons he had no memory of. He listened to detail accounts about his travels westward with Adam, the journey with Ingrid and about Marie whom he had married while in New Orleans. Tales of each of his sons left him both laughing and crying at the same time. In his mind\u2019s eye, he pictured each one. Hoss, his middle son who Adam had said was taller and stronger than most men yet kind and gentle; a man among men according to Adam and well-liked by everyone who had the good fortune of knowing him.<\/p>\n

And then there was Little Joe with the untamed spirit and the fiery temper. Little Joe, explained Adam was the boy who was most emotional, who kept everything deep within himself until he was ready to burst before revealing his inner most self to his father. The youngest of the three Cartwright sons, the heart of the Ponderosa and the apple of his father\u2019s eye\u2026that said Adam, was Little Joe all summed up in a matter of a few words. And with laughter he added that Little Joe was the reason that his father\u2019s hair was so silver. Ben had joined in the laughter and admitted that he was most anxious to meet his two younger sons.<\/p>\n

By the time that the ranch house came into view, Ben felt as if he knew each one on a personal basis. He relished the idea of meeting them and at night, he knelt beside his bedroll and prayed that in God\u2019s time, his master would awaken his mind to the lost memories that seemed to, even now, haunt his dreams. Ben craved knowing his sons\u2026already deep within his heart, his fatherly love had taken root.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s beautiful,\u201d he told Adam as they sat atop the hill and looked down at the homestead he was told was built by his and Adam\u2019s own two hands. \u201cI can only imagine all the good times\u2026and I suppose the bad times that we have shared within those walls.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve had both, the good and the bad, but we always managed to overcome the worst of times. Being a family, you have taught us the true meaning of the word,\u201d Adam said as he adjusted himself in the saddle.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne for four, four for one?\u201d he asked, turning to Adam and saw the surprised look on the younger man\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cFunny you should remember that\u2026you have taught us that very thing from day one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally, I\u2019ve said it before?\u201d questioned Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany times, Pa, many times,\u201d smiled Adam. \u201cWell,\u201d he said as he pushed his hat back into place. \u201cReady to meet your boys?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled. \u201cI\u2019ll admit I\u2019m a bit scared and a whole lot nervous.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be fine, Pa. Just remember, once Little Joe sees you, be ready for an arm load because I have a suspicion that he will fly straight into your arms,\u201d Adam warned his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd my arms will be wide opened for him\u2026\u201d grinned Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks Pa\u2026for understanding\u2026I mean, you might not remember them, but they haven\u2019t forgotten you. And we\u2019ll sit Little Joe down this evening and explain to him what has happened to you. He\u2019ll understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d muttered Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know the boy inside and out, he will.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think you might be right. Is that him\u2026he just walked out of the barn and is heading for the house,\u201d Ben asked, pointing to the young boy who was in fact headed for the main house.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s Little Joe. Ready?\u201d<\/p>\n

Grinning from ear to ear, Ben turned to Adam. \u201cLet\u2019s ride!\u201d he all but shouted as he urged his mount into a full gallop.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss was just about to close the front door when the sound of pounding hooves caught his attention. He stopped and turned around. What and who he saw almost brought the gentle giant to his knees.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026Joe\u2026come here,\u201d he sputtered to his younger brother who had just come inside. \u201cLookie who\u2019s here,\u201d he said, turning and giving the younger boy a wide grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t care,\u201d snarled Joe. \u201cI don\u2019t wanna see or talk to anyone,\u201d he growled. His mood was not the best. Joe hadn\u2019t been sleeping nor had he been eating much. Once again he looked tired and though Hoss had done his best to encourage the boy, nothing the older brother had said had any effect on the mood swings of the younger. \u201cSuite yourself,\u201d Hoss called.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I just bet you\u2019d want to see this!\u201d Hoss said as he hurried out the door, running now to greet his father and leaving Little Joe alone to stew over whatever was plaguing his thoughts at this time.<\/p>\n

When Ben dismounted and turned around, he found himself face to face with his middle son. He smiled warmly. \u201cHoss?\u201d he uttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d Hoss practically shouted as he enfolded his father amid his strong arms and lifting Ben slightly off the ground, Hoss spun his father around in a circle, so filled with joy that tears flowed freely down his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou better put him down, Hoss,\u201d laughed Adam. \u201cYou\u2019re going to make him dizzy spinning him like that,\u201d he chuckled.<\/p>\n

Hoss stopped spinning his father and let Ben find his footing again. \u201cGolly, gee, Pa\u2026it\u2019s good to see ya. We done thought you was\u2026dead\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo Hoss, I\u2019m alive and almost well,\u201d laughed Ben.<\/p>\n

The smile faded from Hoss\u2019 face as he sized his father up. \u201cAlmost well\u2026what\u2019cha mean by that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll explain it all to you and Joe later,\u201d Adam said. \u201cSay, where is the kid?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s inside\u2026and I\u2019ll give you fair warning, he ain\u2019t in a very good mood,\u201d Hoss started to explain.<\/p>\n

\u201cPA!!\u201d<\/p>\n

The sudden shriek caused all three men to turn. Before any of them could say a word, Little Joe flung himself into his father\u2019s opened arms. Tears of sheer joy ran unchecked down the young man\u2019s face as Joe wrapped his own arms about his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026Pa\u2026\u201d sobbed Joe, unable to stop crying as he gripped his father as tightly as possible. \u201cOh Pa\u2026I\u2019m so sorry\u2026I\u2019m sorry\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s arms embraced the boy. One hand held Joe\u2019s head against his rapidly beating heart. The sudden burst of love for this particular child surprised the father and almost brought the older man to tears. Never\u2026not that he could remember, had he ever felt so loved and needed, for the love that this boy held in his heart for the man who embraced him, was felt throughout that man\u2019s body.<\/p>\n

\u201cHush now Joseph, there\u2019s nothing for you to be sorry for,\u201d Ben said trying to console the boy. He glanced at Adam and smiled, mouthing \u2018thank you\u2019 to his son. Adam understood for he could see the love already blooming in his father\u2019s eyes for not just one son, but for all three.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean, you really can\u2019t remember anything?\u201d Little Joe who sat close to his father asked.<\/p>\n

Ben sadly shook his head. \u201cI\u2019m afraid not Little Joe. But Adam\u2019s done a fine job in filling in many of the important parts and it is as if I\u2019ve known you and your brothers all my life,\u201d he said, smiling now at the youngster.<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t appear to be happy about the situation. \u201cAre you ever gonna be able to remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI certainly hope so, son,\u201d Be answered as he reached over and ruffled the thick curls. \u201cWe\u2019ll know more after I see the doctor tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stood up and walked around the room, coming full circle to face his father. \u201cWhat\u2026happens if you never remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben noted the sad expression that Joe wore on his face and his heart went out to the boy. He understood that Little Joe had his father back but not really had him back. \u201cThen I suppose we\u2019ll just simply start from the here and now and make all sorts of new memories\u2026and for you at least, you\u2019ll always have the old memories,\u201d Ben said as he rose from his chair and put his arms about the boy.<\/p>\n

Joe scrunched up his face. \u201cYeah\u2026but it won\u2019t be like it used to be\u2026not really,\u201d he said and then suddenly looked up into his father\u2019s face. \u201cPa\u2026I really am glad you\u2019re back\u2026I\u2026I\u2026missed you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben gently pulled his son into his arms and hugged him. He leaned down and planted a kiss atop Joe\u2019s head. \u201cEverything will work out, according to God\u2019s plan, son. We will just have to be patient and take it one day at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe snickered, causing Ben to pull the boy back to see his face. \u201cAnd what might I ask is so funny?\u201d<\/p>\n

This time Joe laughed aloud. \u201cIf you really knew me, you\u2019d know that being patient is not one of my virtues, Pa\u2026not even close!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed. \u201cThen perhaps this period of our lives is a time that the good Lord will use to teach you and I patience, for I have a feeling that patience isn\u2019t number one on my list of virtues either, young man.\u201d Father and son giggled and then embraced one another, both satisfied for now just knowing that one was father and the other was son and that a warm relationship was being born.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Life on the Ponderosa took on a sense of normalcy. Ben worked hard doing all the things he\u2019d done before losing his memory, with the help of Adam, Hoss and even Little Joe. There was much that he learned, but other things seemed to come naturally for the elder Cartwright. He even became reacquainted with those who had been his closet friends, such as Roy Coffee who was the sheriff and Paul Martin the town\u2019s physician.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, is something wrong? Adam asked. He had just come down the stairs and found Ben sitting at his desk with his head in the palms of his hands. Ben raised his head slowly. \u201cI have a massive headache,\u201d he told his son. \u201cIt\u2019s been hurting all day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want me to send for the doctor?\u201d Adam was concerned for it had not been the first time he had found his father as such. Ben had been experiencing headaches for several days now.<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cNo,\u201d he answered as he pushed back his chair and stood up. \u201cIf you don\u2019t mind, I think I\u2019ll just go lie down for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not, go ahead. I\u2019ll let you know when supper is ready,\u201d Adam told his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you son.\u201d Ben snickered. \u201cMaybe I\u2019ve just looked at these figures for too long,\u201d he said as he pointed to the ledger he\u2019d been working on.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou go have that nap; I\u2019ll take a look at those figures for you.\u201d Adam moved around the desk and took his father\u2019s seat and pulled the ledger closer.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is your brother?\u201d Ben asked before he started up the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich one? Adam asked without looking up.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe, I haven\u2019t seen him since lunch and then he wasn\u2019t very talkative, nor did he eat very much. I tried talking to him, but he acted upset with me about something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Adam looked up at his father. \u201cI noticed earlier he wasn\u2019t in a very good mood.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben walked back to the desk and stood looking down at Adam. \u201cIs it my imagination, or has he been out of sorts for the last couple of days, and distant too,\u201d the worried father questioned.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve noticed. He must have something on his mind. I\u2019ll speak with him if you\u2019d like for me to,\u201d Adam offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you?\u201d Ben sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure. I\u2019ll see if I can find him after I look over these entries.\u201d Adam watched his father walk slowly up the stairs. He was a bit worried about how tired Ben looked and wondered if perhaps he should speak with Doctor Martin and perhaps even have the physician pay his father a visit. It had been weeks since Ben had come home and first seen the doctor in regards to regaining his memory so Adam thought maybe the reoccurring headaches might have something to do with how poorly his father had been feeling the last few days.<\/p>\n

First he needed to find the mistakes in the ledger so that the books would balance and then he\u2019d go search for Little Joe and see if the boy would open up to him about whatever he was fretting over. An hour later, Adam closed the books, balanced to the penny and went in search of his brother. As Adam entered the barn, he paused to give his eyes time to adjust to the dim light.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe\u2026are you in here?\u201d he called out and waited for a response. He petted Cochise\u2019s nose. The horse being in the stable told him that Little Joe was somewhere nearby. \u201cJoseph!\u201d he called louder.<\/p>\n

A moment later Adam saw a small piece of hay float down from the loft. He smiled. \u201cShould have known,\u201d he muttered to himself. Little Joe\u2019s favorite hiding place was in the loft among the bales of hay stored there. He quickly climbed the ladder and was not surprised to see his brother sitting in the far, dark corner of the loft on a bale of hay. The sight of the lonely boy and the sad expression on his face touched Adam\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey Buddy\u2026why are you hiding up here\u2026didn\u2019t you hear me calling for you?\u201d Adam asked as he slowly made his way over to his brother. \u201cMind if I sit down?\u201d It was then that he noticed the glistening moisture that glowed on the young cheeks.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want to talk about what\u2019s bothering you?\u201d Adam tried again.<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t nothing bothering me,\u201d grumbled Little Joe as he turned away to wipe away the tears that were ready to fall.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo? You don\u2019t really expect me to believe that, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBelieve what you want, I don\u2019t give a dam,\u201d snarled Little Joe as he stood up and walked to the other corner.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou better not let Pa hear you using that kind of language, you know how he feels about foul language,\u201d Adam warned his brother.<\/p>\n

Little Joe turned and walked back to stand over his brother. \u201cI know, but does he?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked puzzled. \u201cNow what in blazes does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt means he doesn\u2019t know anything about us, except for what he\u2019s learned since he\u2019s been here. He don\u2019t even know what he likes and what he don\u2019t like\u2026he doesn\u2019t know anything about how we feel or what we think\u2026he\u2019s our father in body only. I want my real Pa back,\u201d Joe\u2019s voice became high pitched and Adam noticed the boy\u2019s chin quivering. \u201cI want Pa to yell at me when I do something I shouldn\u2019t. I want him to restrict me to my room\u2026dangit, Adam\u2026at this point, I\u2019d welcome a necessary little talk, it if would bring my father back to me\u2026I\u2026I\u2026miss him, Adam\u2026\u201d He turned his back to his older brother.<\/p>\n

Adam could hear the soft sounds of his brother\u2019s weeping. He moved to stand behind Little Joe and put his hands on the boy\u2019s shoulders, slowly turning the boy around and then drew the unhappy youth into his arms where he held his brother until Joe\u2019s sobbing subsided.<\/p>\n

\u201cListen buddy, let\u2019s sit down for a minute and talk about this,\u201d Adam suggested as he gently led Joe back to the bales of hay and sat them both down. \u201cI understand how you feel\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d Little Joe asked in surprise. He wiped his eyes dry.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d smiled his brother. \u201cPa is different now, but we need to realize that it isn\u2019t his fault\u2026or anyone\u2019s. And I\u2019m sure that he wishes he could remember us like we remember him before the accident. Joe, don\u2019t you think that it\u2019s as hard on him as it is on you and me and even Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe lowered his head. \u201cI suppose,\u201d he said in a soft voice.<\/p>\n

Adam moved closer to his brother and put his arm around Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cThink about it Joe, Pa\u2019s a stranger in his own home. He lives among all the treasures that make up his life\u2026not just the three of us, but photos of the women he\u2019s loved, and can\u2019t remember, belongings that he\u2019s collected that he has no idea from where they came. I\u2019ve seen him pick up the photo of your mother and stare at it. I\u2019ve seen tears collect in his eyes and heard him muttering to himself, asking why couldn\u2019t he remember. One night as I was going to bed, I heard him in his room praying, beseeching God to return his memory to him. So you know, buddy, as hard as it is on us, it has to be ten times worse for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam paused to give Joe time to absorb what he was trying to tell him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe tries hard to be a good father to us\u2026and he does care deeply for all of us. All you have to do is look at him and see the love in his eyes\u2026it has to be hard on him. I\u2019m sure deep down inside he wishes the same thing that you do\u2026that he could remember,\u201d Adam finished.<\/p>\n

Joe wiped his eyes a second time. \u201cI guess I\u2019ve been sort of selfish, haven\u2019t I?\u201d he asked his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cMeaning how?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t given much thought to how Pa was feeling; I was only thinking of myself\u2026and that was wrong,\u201d Joe explained. \u201cI know he\u2019s trying hard Adam, really, and I try to be patient with him, but sometimes I just wish\u2026I wish\u2026oh I don\u2019t know. I just miss Pa being the way he was.\u201d Joe chuckled. \u201cYou know Adam,\u201d he said, grinning at his brother. \u201cI used to think that sometimes Pa was just an old fuddy-duddy\u2026that he was just getting so old and set in his ways that it was impossible for him to understand me and how I was feeling about things\u2026that my ideas didn\u2019t matter to him. But now I don\u2019t think that\u2026I\u2019ve learned that who Pa was before is the man I most admired, the man I loved most and who I most wanted to be like.\u201d The smile faded. \u201cNow I\u2019m afraid Adam, that I\u2019ll never have that man back.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked into his brother\u2019s eyes. \u201cAnd I don\u2019t blame anyone but myself\u2026I caused that accident\u2026I took our Pa away from all of us,\u201d he sniffled.<\/p>\n

\u201cNonsense!\u201d Adam declared. He cupped Joe\u2019s quivering chin and raised the boy\u2019s head. \u201cI don\u2019t want to hear you talking that way again, Joe\u2026you did not cause that accident. You cannot go down that pity road again. Don\u2019t you think for one minute that if Pa really could remember, that he\u2019d be blaming himself for that accident and not you\u2026simply because he failed to check the wagon to be sure it was safe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose. But Adam\u2026I feel\u2026well, you might think I\u2019m being silly\u2026but I feel sort of\u2026lost\u2026and lonely. Oh I know he tries to be good to me, almost too good. He hasn\u2019t yelled at me in forever, and I\u2019ve done things on purpose just to get a reaction from him.\u201d He saw Adam\u2019s brow rise. \u201cI shouldn\u2019t have I know and it was wrong, but he didn\u2019t do anything\u2026he didn\u2019t even say anything\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey Adam!\u201d It was Hoss calling from down below.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m up here,\u201d Adam called walking to the edge of the loft. \u201cWhat do you need, I\u2019m talking to Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Pa\u2026he needs us in the house,\u201d Hoss answered.<\/p>\n

Adam glanced back at Little Joe. \u201cCome on buddy, let\u2019s go see what Pa needs us for.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright Adam\u2026and thanks for listening,\u201d he said softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnytime, you know that. We\u2019re coming Hoss,\u201d he called down to his middle brother.<\/p>\n

He and Joe came down from the loft and together with Hoss hurried to the house. Ben was lying on the settee with a cool cloth across his forehead. Hop Sing was standing over him. \u201cMr. Cart\u2019lite need doctor, head hurting very badly,\u201d he explained to the trio of brothers.<\/p>\n

Adam quickly moved around the settee and sat on the corner of the table. \u201cPa\u2026are you alright?\u201d he asked his father. Ben, who had his hand on the cloth and who\u2019s eyes were closed, moved his hand away and opened his eyes just enough that he could see Adam sitting nearby.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s this blasted headache, son. It feels like they are playing war drums inside my head\u2026it won\u2019t stop pounding,\u201d he said through gritted teeth and then closed his eyes again.<\/p>\n

Adam looked up at Hoss with a worried expression showing on his face. \u201cBest you get Doc Martin,\u201d he told his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go now\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026let me, I\u2019ll fetch the doctor,\u201d Joe said to both brothers. \u201cHoss, I can ride faster than you, please Adam let me do this\u2026for Pa,\u201d Joe pleaded.<\/p>\n

Adam nodded his head, \u201cAlright Joe\u2026but be careful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will\u2026you hold on Pa\u2026I won\u2019t be long,\u201d Little Joe said. He was already grabbing his hat and putting on his jacket.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d Ben called out. He opened his eyes, searching for the boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m right here, Pa,\u201d Joe said as he leaned over the top of the settee.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you run that pony of yours too hard,\u201d Ben scolded softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t, I promise,\u201d Joe responded.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Joe\u2026after you speak with Paul, you rest your horse first before coming home, do you understand me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe couldn\u2019t keep the slight smile from spreading across his face. Ben sounded almost like his old self.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir, I understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen scat,\u201d Ben said with a smile that looked more like a grimace.<\/p>\n

Ben was sitting up talking to the doctor by the time that Little Joe returned. Little Joe had done as his father had requested and had remained at the doctor\u2019s office long enough for Cochise to have a much needed rest before returning home.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, you\u2019ve been having some flashbacks?\u201d the doctor was asking his patient when Joe walked into the house and overheard the conversation. He quickly made his way to the settee to hear what his father was saying.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but nothing that I can actually call a memory. It\u2019s more like me being in a fog\u2026seeing faceless figures, hearing voices talking but being unable to understand the words\u2026those types of things,\u201d Ben explained to the doctor.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd, is that when the headaches begin?\u201d Paul asked.<\/p>\n

Ben nodded his head. \u201cYes\u2026I know this sounds odd, but I feel as if something inside my head is trying to get out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul chuckled softly. \u201cWell, I can\u2019t say that I\u2019ve ever felt that way, but I can understand what you mean. It sounds to me as if your memory is being jogged somewhat and your brain is trying to bring things into focus for you. I\u2019m not sure but I\u2019d say that given time, your memory will be restored\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWahoo!\u201d shouted Joe.<\/p>\n

Ben scrunched up his face at the loud noise. He looked up at Joe with a slight grin on his face. \u201cMust you make all that noise, young man?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry Pa\u2026\u201d Joe answered with a smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was two days later that Ben was sitting on the side porch with Adam and Hoss. The brothers had their backs to the yard while Ben sat facing the front. Ben had just sat his glass of lemonade down when he looked up to see his youngest son come barreling into the front yard on his horse. Cochise must have slipped for when he went down, Little Joe was flung from his back as a man being catapulted from a cannon. The boy landed on his back with a hard thud.<\/p>\n

Ben screamed. \u201cMARIE!\u201d and jumped from his seat to run across the yard to his son. Both Adam and Hoss turned to see what was happening. The instance they saw their father gather the wounded boy into his arms, they sprang from their chairs and raced to join the pair.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, are you hurt?\u201d Ben asked as he held the boy close. \u201cHow many times have I warned you about riding so fast into the yard?\u201d he gently scolded.<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss, both who had squatted now next to Joe, looked up into the face of their father. Joe too, had opened his eyes and was watching the expressions of worry, concern and a bit of anger playing on his father\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine, Pa\u2026do you really remember telling me not to race into the yard?\u201d he asked weakly as his father helped him into a sitting position.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2026many times young man, I should tan your backside and I might when I find out that you really are fine\u2026so\u2026\u201d Ben stopped talking. As Joe began to stand, all four Cartwrights looked from one to the other.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you saying\u2026\u201d Adam began.<\/p>\n

Ben smiled at him and then reaching out touched Adam\u2019s face and then Hoss\u2019 cheek. He looked down at his youngest, tears glistening in his eyes as he pulled the boy into a hug. \u201cYes\u2026I can remember\u2026all of you\u2026everything\u2026Marie\u2019s accident.\u201d He looked down at Little Joe who had pulled free of the confining arms to stare in shock at his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat must be why you screamed \u2018Marie\u2019 when you saw Joe thrown from his horse,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

Ben looked dumb-founded. \u201cI screamed for Marie?\u201d he questioned.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir, ya sure did,\u201d smiled Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell I\u2019ll be,\u201d muttered Ben. \u201cThat must have been the instant that my memory came back,\u201d he explained. He looked down at Little Joe and saw the boy was about to cry. \u201cCome here you little scamp,\u201d he said as he pulled Joe into another tight hug. This time the boy wrapped his arms tightly about his father\u2019s waist and clung to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome home, Pa,\u201d he cried as he looked up into his father\u2019s face and saw for the first time since Ben came home, recognition.<\/p>\n

Ben squeezed tighter and then as Joe clung to him, Ben reached both hands out to gather his oldest two sons into his arms as well. Adam and Hoss did not hesitate, but stepped into the inviting arms of their father where all four Cartwrights stood huddled together.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt sure is good to be back,\u201d Ben proclaimed. \u201cI\u2019ve been a stranger in the house far too long.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE END<\/p>\n

January 2015<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tags:\u00a0 Adam Cartwright,\u00a0amnesia,\u00a0Ben Cartwright,\u00a0Hoss Cartwright,\u00a0Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0The last time that Little Joe sees his father is when Ben yells at him to jump seconds before their wagon careens down a steep ravine. Little Joe is found badly wounded and brought home to his brothers……..but what about his father? Ben has vanished and Joe’s grief is more life threatening than the injuries he suffered from the accident.<\/p>\n

Rated: G (12,440 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9052,"featured_media":9859,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,1008,41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12103","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","category-hurtcomfort","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-41-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":3545,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/feature-2.jpg?fit=338%2C338&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14350,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14350","url_meta":{"origin":12103,"position":0},"title":"The Pure Heart (by BeckyS)","author":"BeckyS","date":"June 28, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 The strength of ten in one. 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Adam is angry and acts accordingly. Ben and Hoss do their best to calm the waters but it takes a crisis to bring the brothers back together again. 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